At what age should a four yr old be told " It's my way or the highway" ???

Question

The old " As long as you live under my roof, buddy...." routine isn't working.

Answer 1

He's only four years old. I seriously doubt he even realizes what a highway is. In fact, I doubt he even understands the whole "as long as you live under my roof" comment. Those are things that you might try with a teenager - not a four year old.

With a small child, YOU are the adult. If they fuss, you simply say "you are/ are not going to do such-and-such because I am mommy/ daddy and when I say you are/ are not going to do such-and-such, it is because I love you and I don't want to see you get hurt/ I want you to be happy/ I want you to grow up to be smart/ strong, etc."

Answer 2

wait till they are six at least...they will have made some new friends in school so when you tell them those words they can say right back to ya"see,wouldn't wanna be ya" and ride their bike of in the sunset the new school friends house....x*x

Answer 3

Geeesh, you should have had control 2 years ago.  You legally can't kick them out until 18.  But at this rate he may be in Juvy much earlier.

Answer 4

*wipes away a tear*

You remind me of my dear old pappy!

Answer 5

trick Q !!!

I say from birth is OK, Threaten to drop him off at the fire station . One of my brilliant contacts turned me on to that one !

Answer 6

yeah. Sure.Good luck telling a 4 yr old anything nowadays. They don't listen. Only last night my daughter, who's 4 1/2, told me she was going to the playground after supper and It was my turn to accompany her. I was just settling in to my after supper beer and up she comes, "okay, let's go daddy." I look blank. " Go? Go where?" She gives me the withering look, which she's already perfected at her tender age. " I told you daddy! You're going to take me to the park." Which I suppose only goes to prove I don't listen either. But it's the attitude. In 10 years she'll be withering boys with it.

Answer 7

Dave....Dave...Dave....*shaking head*...you should have started that at age 2...all is lost.....the child is now a lost cause....pack it in...call child services to pick the kid up....

Answer 8

Take away the crayons and paper then have your little talk...

Answer 9

Four?

I have been teaching my kids that Daddy's the boss and I make the rules... now get in the corner!!!

Answer 10

When my kids were that age, I looked my kids in the eyes and said, "I am going to take care of you whether you like it or not!" They usually looked calmer after that, knowing someone was  definitely in charge. I did not back down. My kids are teens now and everyone likes them, even me!

Answer 11

those words were both my kids' first, so ...

I dunno ~ 6 mos. old??

Answer 12

3 1/2 months

Answer 13

I think a child should have been shown that his parents are the boss since he was old enough to say the word "no."  While you can't really reason with a toddler like you can with a school-age child ("if you do THIS, then THIS will be your punishment," etc.), they need to understand that what you say goes.  There are many effective methods of disciplining your child that don't involve corporal punishment (spanking, etc.)  Check out the Super Nanny show- she has some really good ideas that are effective when used consistently.

Answer 14

Ok this cannot be a real question I hope.

So tell him to get his 4 year old self on his bad tricycle and ride if he doesn't like the rules.

If this is in any way real, you are definitely a tool Dave, just not the sharpest one in the shed. Take some parenting classes..

Answer 15

tell him the rules. if his disobeys them, let him know there are consequences because you're the parent and you're old and you know better.

Answer 16

My kids started getting it at birth from their father.  Maybe that was too early because neither of them behave any differently than other kids their age.  We tried sending the 3 year old away last week... she would get half way down the drive and then run back with a dandelion to show me.  Ironic, since the whole reason we kicked her out was because she refused to mow the lawn.

Answer 17

That won't work on a 4 year old either. A swift kick in the nuts, however, is very effective.

Answer 18

It's already a little late!   The choice of words is bad either way, but the child is certainly old enough to understand that he's not the boss.    You need to start teaching him NOW that he has to follow the house rules.   Any inappropriate behavior has a consequence.   He needs to learn to respect you.

Answer 19

just tape a stuff hippo to their head until they listen to you.

Answer 20

He's a lost cause now.  h**l, at four he should have a job and be on a first name basis with the liquor store man.  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚™Â¥

Answer 21

The Dawg sounds like he has been at my house recently!!!

At age 4...it is too late! Damage is done and we MUST pay for it!! I think if , at age 2, we start to let them know that we REALLY are the boss...maybe we have a chance....MAYBE!

It is completely obvious that there are several Non-parents answering this one! LMAO!

Answer 22

Oh Buggers! i just want to beat people with a stick that don't get it. i do Dave!

Answer 23

Dr. Demonica is right.  I advised her to fake her kid out by saying they're going to McDonald's but really drop him off at the fire station.

Oh, and to answer your question, you should have told him that about three years ago.  It might be too late to break him in properly.  You might need to get a new babby.